Lazy car dealers
Discussion
Anyone else been shocked by the complete lack of effort put in to preparing cars for viewing? Admittedly we were looking at the bottom end of the market, but when I'm looking at spending 5k on a car, the least I expect is it to have been hoovered!
Seen some absolute dogs today, stinking of ciggarettes, coke cans and rubbish still in door pockets, cubby holes, and glove boxes. Cars that look like they've been builders vans, all just slapped on forecourt with a price in the window!
Who is buying these cars? There was certainly plenty of people out looking! Not impressed at all!
Seen some absolute dogs today, stinking of ciggarettes, coke cans and rubbish still in door pockets, cubby holes, and glove boxes. Cars that look like they've been builders vans, all just slapped on forecourt with a price in the window!
Who is buying these cars? There was certainly plenty of people out looking! Not impressed at all!
In ye olden days I liked going to Car Giant (formerly known as The Great Trade Centre) because they left their cars unprepped - at most they were washed. You could spot the uncared for cars a mile off with different tyres, door dings, scrapes and owners who were tramps who smoked in them. Now it's harder as everything is SMART repaired.
AlMcAl said:
Anyone else been shocked by the complete lack of effort put in to preparing cars for viewing? Admittedly we were looking at the bottom end of the market, but when I'm looking at spending 5k on a car, the least I expect is it to have been hoovered!
Seen some absolute dogs today, stinking of ciggarettes, coke cans and rubbish still in door pockets, cubby holes, and glove boxes. Cars that look like they've been builders vans, all just slapped on forecourt with a price in the window!
Who is buying these cars? There was certainly plenty of people out looking! Not impressed at all!
Been to see loads of cars at around said price, and found plenty with illegal tyres, worn brakes and a ridiculous amount of scratches. All things that can be sorted easily, but quickly create a bad impression of the seller, and instantly lose them a customer.Seen some absolute dogs today, stinking of ciggarettes, coke cans and rubbish still in door pockets, cubby holes, and glove boxes. Cars that look like they've been builders vans, all just slapped on forecourt with a price in the window!
Who is buying these cars? There was certainly plenty of people out looking! Not impressed at all!
Allyc85 said:
Been to see loads of cars at around said price, and found plenty with illegal tyres, worn brakes and a ridiculous amount of scratches. All things that can be sorted easily, but quickly create a bad impression of the seller, and instantly lose them a customer.
Totally agree! Saw a few cars today thay had they been hoovered and had a magic tree in them would have driven it off the forecourt.Stale ciggarettes and rubbish is just awful from a "professional" car dealer.
Crap bald tyres was pretty common too. Back to looking at private sales again...
Funnily enough I was thinking the exact same thing today whilst looking at a car, small trader (stock of 6-7 cars) all of his adverts have God awful pictures and bare minimum descriptions. I am going to have a look at one of his during the week for the sole reason that he is about 20minutes away and on my way home from college.
Don't get me started.
Had a rant last week about this... arranged to view a car 250 miles south, agreed a day and called an hour ahead as promised. Arrived to find the car unwashed, flat tyre, discs covered in surface corrosion and and trader who seemed less than bothered.
On a positive note, I also discovered that I am a surprisingly laid back chap... had 5hrs to mull that over as I drove home 5 minutes after arriving.
Had a rant last week about this... arranged to view a car 250 miles south, agreed a day and called an hour ahead as promised. Arrived to find the car unwashed, flat tyre, discs covered in surface corrosion and and trader who seemed less than bothered.
On a positive note, I also discovered that I am a surprisingly laid back chap... had 5hrs to mull that over as I drove home 5 minutes after arriving.
Just took my wife to see a 530i with a dealer.
The dip beam came up as a warning on the dash - funny because it failed the MOT on that, and then passed, yet it still needed fixing
The temp gauge said -40
The leather interior looked like he'd been transporting angry cats (scratches everywhere) and the boot was filthy.
The dip beam came up as a warning on the dash - funny because it failed the MOT on that, and then passed, yet it still needed fixing
The temp gauge said -40
The leather interior looked like he'd been transporting angry cats (scratches everywhere) and the boot was filthy.
Its a price driven market these days (particularly in the sub £5K stuff), and something had to give.
It used to be dealers spent money on a full valet, new tyres, repairing scuffs and dents, refurbing alloys, service and stick on a decent warranty but this all adds to the cost.
If your car isnt the cheapest in an Autotrader low -> high search the phone doesnt ring.
Leave it unprepped, price them cheap and people will buy - rather than spend an extra few £££ on a well prepared, decent car.
It used to be dealers spent money on a full valet, new tyres, repairing scuffs and dents, refurbing alloys, service and stick on a decent warranty but this all adds to the cost.
If your car isnt the cheapest in an Autotrader low -> high search the phone doesnt ring.
Leave it unprepped, price them cheap and people will buy - rather than spend an extra few £££ on a well prepared, decent car.
Edited by daemon on Saturday 25th February 14:35
T5R+ said:
Happens at the £30 - 40K franchised dealer level too - "sales manager does not want to put money in to it, unless sold".
When I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
well for one you would invalidate any warranty and then moan, no one preps an unsold car with tyres and brakes in case it has to go to the auction as over age stockWhen I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
Just a note on surface corrosion on discs: If you pressure wash a car you'll get a nice rusty look about half an hour after washing it.
So, if you turn up to view a car which has been cleaned in anticipation of your arrival do not read anything into a bit of brown stuff on the discs. It does not mean it has sat for ages.
So, if you turn up to view a car which has been cleaned in anticipation of your arrival do not read anything into a bit of brown stuff on the discs. It does not mean it has sat for ages.
Had a few dealers where you phone them explain your coming from a few hours away to view. Ask about general condition, service history etc... All you get is Yeah yeah car is mint no marks and full service history.
You turn up and the car is a proper lemon.
Looked at a seat altea. Salesman gave it the big one " you won't find better for the money" turn up look through paperwork. Overdue cambelt and dsg oil change. No one had even noticed the climate control wasn't working!
I'm not expecting brand new cars but I expect a semi looked after car.
You turn up and the car is a proper lemon.
Looked at a seat altea. Salesman gave it the big one " you won't find better for the money" turn up look through paperwork. Overdue cambelt and dsg oil change. No one had even noticed the climate control wasn't working!
I'm not expecting brand new cars but I expect a semi looked after car.
Evans halshaw is an absolute embaressment for this.
When i was looking for cars there was loads at evans halshaw, yet every picture on autotrader showed a filthy car, the images were blurry aswell, didnt go to see a single one of them cars, cant even be arsed to pick rubbish out or give it a wash before advertising it online.
Lazy f
ks.
When i was looking for cars there was loads at evans halshaw, yet every picture on autotrader showed a filthy car, the images were blurry aswell, didnt go to see a single one of them cars, cant even be arsed to pick rubbish out or give it a wash before advertising it online.
Lazy f
ks.Davie said:
Don't get me started.
Had a rant last week about this... arranged to view a car 250 miles south, agreed a day and called an hour ahead as promised. Arrived to find the car unwashed, flat tyre, discs covered in surface corrosion and and trader who seemed less than bothered.
On a positive note, I also discovered that I am a surprisingly laid back chap... had 5hrs to mull that over as I drove home 5 minutes after arriving.
Flat tyre is poor, and car being unwashed is not great. However most discs have surface corrosion when not used for even a day! (aftermarket parts - you often have to pay £20 more per disc to get the version with anti corrosion coating - many new Honda's have rusty discs). Had a rant last week about this... arranged to view a car 250 miles south, agreed a day and called an hour ahead as promised. Arrived to find the car unwashed, flat tyre, discs covered in surface corrosion and and trader who seemed less than bothered.
On a positive note, I also discovered that I am a surprisingly laid back chap... had 5hrs to mull that over as I drove home 5 minutes after arriving.
Presumably the rest of the car was a pig?
andymc said:
T5R+ said:
Happens at the £30 - 40K franchised dealer level too - "sales manager does not want to put money in to it, unless sold".
When I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
well for one you would invalidate any warranty and then moan, no one preps an unsold car with tyres and brakes in case it has to go to the auction as over age stockWhen I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
Searider said:
andymc said:
T5R+ said:
Happens at the £30 - 40K franchised dealer level too - "sales manager does not want to put money in to it, unless sold".
When I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
well for one you would invalidate any warranty and then moan, no one preps an unsold car with tyres and brakes in case it has to go to the auction as over age stockWhen I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
daemon said:
Searider said:
andymc said:
T5R+ said:
Happens at the £30 - 40K franchised dealer level too - "sales manager does not want to put money in to it, unless sold".
When I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
well for one you would invalidate any warranty and then moan, no one preps an unsold car with tyres and brakes in case it has to go to the auction as over age stockWhen I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
I've seen several high value Audis at my local dealer where this seems to be the case - slightly scruffy R8, stone chipped front, in pride of place in the showroom.
There is still a small number of independents who do not fit this depressing Arthur Daley stereotype. Their stock will be valeted to above adequate standard, serious faults will be remedied, short MOTs will be renewed, tyres will be ok, though suspect ones will be replaced with budget brands. Cars will not have further money spent on them in case they fail to sell, but some outlets will undertake service on sale if it is nearly or becoming due. These outlets will have a local "banger man" who takes any suspect stuff, or they will auction it. They will try to buy from main dealers or indeed desperate private owners and not put dross on their lot.Even so, they will take a hit on 1 Car in 10 which throws up a real headache or is just badly bought e.g. Mini Cooper Coupe/ lovely old Land Cruiser which guzzles fuel.... This is factored in to the overall pricing policy. If they fall below this standard they will not survive for long, as many depend on repeat business. There are father and son/daughter outfits out there who have been doing this for many years.A prospective buyer needs to seek these out over time and probably word of mouth but they absolutely do exist You can still get an excellent vehicle in the 3 to 6k range.James Ruppert of Bangernomics fame is very clued up on this topic in Autocar though the mag on the whole appears to have an obsession with supercars and so called ICE (zzzzzzz),
Edited by Lester H on Saturday 25th February 23:09
Searider said:
daemon said:
Searider said:
andymc said:
T5R+ said:
Happens at the £30 - 40K franchised dealer level too - "sales manager does not want to put money in to it, unless sold".
When I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
well for one you would invalidate any warranty and then moan, no one preps an unsold car with tyres and brakes in case it has to go to the auction as over age stockWhen I asked to buy it as it was and save a few £1000, "sorry we are not allowed to sell it, as it is not prepared to accepted xxxxxxxxx used standard".
I've seen several high value Audis at my local dealer where this seems to be the case - slightly scruffy R8, stone chipped front, in pride of place in the showroom.
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